Emotional Toll of War Captured on Film

Read Time:4 Minute, 33 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Paths of Glory (4K Ultra HD) (Blu-ray)
Approved –

Genre: Drama, War
Year Released: 1957, 2024 Eureka Entertainment 4K
Runtime: 1h 28m
Director(s): Stanley Kubrick
Writer(s): Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham, Jim Thompson, Humphrey Cobb
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Richard Anderson, Joe Turkel, Christiane Kubrick, Jerry Hausner, Peter Capell
Where To Watch: available here www.eurekavideo.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: When the screen lights up, you enter a world meticulously crafted by Stanley Kubrick in PATHS OF GLORY. I was captivated by its bold, unsparing look into the heart of the First World War and the chilling efficiency of military bureaucracy. The film pulls no punches in its portrayal of the grim realities of conflict and the often cold, calculated decisions of those in command. Kirk Douglas delivers a powerhouse performance as Colonel Dax, embodying the essence of moral courage in the face of a system that prizes order and discipline above the valor and well-being of its soldiers. Kubrick's direction spins an intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant narrative, making PATHS OF GLORY a profound meditation on humanity under the duress of warfare.

The visual language of PATHS OF GLORY, with its haunting black-and-white cinematography, immediately plunges viewers into the starkness of the wartime experience. Kubrick employs these visuals as an integral part of the storytelling, enhancing the film's exploration of complex moral dilemmas. The contrast between the high command's distant planning and the harrowing reality of trench warfare is sharply drawn, grounding the film's thematic concerns in a vividly realized setting.

At the heart of PATHS OF GLORY lies the gripping tale of Colonel Dax's efforts to defend three unjustly accused soldiers. This thread exposes the military's preference for maintaining discipline through fear over recognizing genuine acts of bravery. This central conflict opens up a broader discussion on justice, leadership, and the value of individual lives within the vast, impersonal war machinery. Kubrick handles these themes cautiously and respectfully, ensuring the audience is not merely observers but emotionally invested participants in the unfolding drama.

The film's mastery extends to its cinematography and set design, employed to significant effect. The visual framing underscores the dehumanization at the core of the military justice system, with the characters rendered as mere cogs in a more giant, uncaring machine. This visual strategy, combined with the film's sharp focus, crafts a potent critique of war's inherent mechanisms of dehumanization.

Despite its critical stance on the military establishment, PATHS OF GLORY also shines as a deeply humanistic work. It delves into the psychological toll of warfare on soldiers with sensitivity and nuance, contrasting the emotional turmoil of the condemned men with their commanders' detached demeanor. This exploration adds depth to the film, reinforcing its commentary on the sanctity of human life amidst the calculations of war.

The film's climax, marked by a poignant performance from a captured German singer, beautifully encapsulates PATHS OF GLORY's themes of human connection and resilience in the face of despair. This scene offers a moment of reflective calm, balancing hope against the backdrop of war's chaos, and showcases Kubrick's ability to capture the complex emotional landscapes navigated by individuals in times of crisis.

PATHS OF GLORY stands as a monumental achievement in the landscape of anti-war cinema. Its unflinching critique of power dynamics, the portrayal of the soldier's courage and vulnerability, and the exploration of conflict's tragic nature secure its status as an enduring work that challenges and moves its viewers. Through Kubrick's visionary direction, the film questions the notion of war and invites us to reflect on our capacity for empathy and humanity, even in the darkest times.

SPECIAL FEATURES
– Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Scott Saslow [2000 copies]
– 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation, presented in Dolby Vision HDR from a 4K scan of the original camera negative
– Audio commentary with film scholar Adrian Martin
– Video interview with Kubrick scholar Peter Kramer
– Video interview with filmmaker Richard Ayoade
– Interview with critic/author Richard Combs
– Optional English SDH
– Original theatrical trailer
– Isolated music & effects track
– A collector’s booklet featuring writing by Glenn Kenny, the words of Kubrick, and archival imagery

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT]

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